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Bill > SF547
IA SF547
IA SF547A bill for an act relating to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator, and providing an appropriation.(Formerly SSB 1170.)
summary
Introduced
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
In Committee
03/10/2025
03/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator. The bill requires each area agency on aging to provide for the position of a dementia service specialist (specialist) to increase access and connections to local supports and services for persons living with dementia, their families, and caregivers, and to increase awareness about dementia within the network of area agency on aging providers and in communities and businesses throughout the state. The bill also requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to provide for the position of a dementia services coordinator (coordinator) to provide statewide coordination of dementia initiatives and specialists. The bill provides that, at a minimum, the duties of a specialist shall include providing support, providing referrals, conducting cognitive screenings, building dementia-capable area agencies on aging, promoting dementia-capable communities, and providing technical assistance as detailed in the bill. The bill provides the duties of a coordinator shall include coordinating dementia services throughout the state, coordinating the specialist program, coordinating the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias state plan, evaluating state dementia services, identifying trainings, and performing other duties as may be required. The bill appropriates $750,000 from the general fund of the state to HHS for FY 2025-2026 to be used by the area agencies on aging to provide a specialist in each of the area agencies on aging and to provide for a coordinator within HHS.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a comprehensive approach to supporting individuals with dementia by requiring each area agency on aging to hire a dementia service specialist (DSS) and the department of health and human services (HHS) to appoint a dementia services coordinator (DSC). The DSS will have broad responsibilities including conducting community education, providing referrals to support services, performing cognitive screenings, building dementia-capable agencies, promoting dementia-friendly communities, and offering technical assistance to various stakeholders including first responders and public safety agencies. The DSC will coordinate dementia services statewide, manage the DSS program, implement the state's Alzheimer's disease plan, assess dementia-related data, evaluate state-funded dementia services, and develop dementia-specific training programs. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $750,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026, which will be used to fund a DSS position in each area agency on aging and a DSC within HHS. The overall goal is to improve support, awareness, and resources for people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers across the state.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Health And Human Services (Senate)
Last Action
Subcommittee: Costello, Donahue, and Salmon. S.J. 492. (on 03/11/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF547 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF547.html |
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